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Jimmy Carter on Technology
President of the U.S., 1977-1981
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Vetoed nuclear breeder reactors but supported research
My first veto came near the end of the session, and it too involved energy. Buried in a $6 billion authorization bill for energy research was $80 million for commencing construction of a nuclear breeder reactor on the Clinch River near Oak Ridge,
TN. Because it was enormously expensive and unnecessary and would open up a new and very dangerous plutonium industry in our country, I was determined to prevent construction of this prototype plant. However, the project had a strong life of its own.
This particular veto was not challenged, and Congress later deleted the item from the authorization bill, but by other means the Tennessee congressional delegation and some supporters of the nuclear power industry still managed to sustain a
breath of life in the project throughout my term. I was determined that the prototype plant would not be built, but because of our uncertain energy future, I was willing to continue research in all kinds of nuclear technology.
Source: Keeping Faith, by Jimmy Carter, p.101-102
, Dec 15, 1977
Page last updated: Apr 28, 2013
